If you grew up watching late-night TV in the late 90s, you probably have a very specific, slightly traumatic memory of two middle-aged music teachers in matching vests. They stood on a gymnasium stage. One played a tiny Casio keyboard. The other sang "Thong Song" like it was an operatic aria.
Marty and Bobbi Culp were, for a specific era of Saturday Night Live fans, the peak of cringe-comedy before "cringe" was even a thing. Played by Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer, the Culps were the Altadena Middle School music department's pride and joy. They were awkward. They were aggressively uncool. And honestly? They were some of the most technically difficult characters to ever grace Studio 8H.
The Secret History of the Culps
The Culps debuted on November 2, 1996. While most recurring SNL characters rely on a catchphrase, Marty and Bobbi relied on sheer musicality. Ana Gasteyer, a trained singer, would belt out Top 40 hits with a stiff, vibrato-heavy operatic tone that made even the raunchiest lyrics sound like they belonged in a church hymnal.
Will Ferrell's Marty was the perfect foil. While Bobbi handled the heavy lifting, Marty provided the "fresh beats" on his keyboard and offered occasional, deeply uncomfortable spoken-word interludes. They weren't just making fun of bad singers; they were parodying that very specific brand of well-meaning teacher who tries way too hard to "connect" with the youth.
Why you can't find them on YouTube
You’ve probably noticed something frustrating. If you go searching for the Culps’ legendary "Drug Awareness Assembly" or their "Gay Commitment Ceremony" medley, the official SNL YouTube channel is suspiciously quiet.
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The reason is simple but annoying: Music licensing.
Because the Culps’ entire gimmick was singing medleys of massive hits—think Destiny’s Child, DMX, and Britney Spears—the rights to stream those sketches are a legal nightmare. NBC would have to pay every single songwriter and publisher featured in those 5-minute medleys. In a 2025 interview, Gasteyer herself joked that the rights are "too expensive for music," which is why these sketches are largely locked in the vault, appearing only in "Best Of" DVDs or the occasional Peacock special.
More Than Just a One-Note Joke
What people often get wrong about Marty and Bobbi Culp is thinking the joke was just "nerdy people singing pop songs." It was deeper than that. The Culps had a whole tragicomic backstory. They had a son who attended the school and was clearly mortified by their existence. They would frequently pause their songs to yell at students in the "back row" who were supposedly flipping them off or throwing things.
"I see you back there, Jason! I see the finger!" — Marty Culp, mid-medley.
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There was a palpable tension in their performances. They were a couple desperately trying to keep their dignity while the world—and their own students—mocked them. It’s that "delusional confidence" that made them so relatable. We’ve all had that teacher.
The SNL 50 Revival
For those who thought the Culps were a relic of the past, the SNL 50: The Homecoming Concert in early 2025 changed everything. Ferrell and Gasteyer stepped back into the vests at Radio City Music Hall, proving they hadn't lost a step.
They didn't just stick to the classics. They updated their repertoire for the TikTok era. Seeing a 57-year-old Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer tackle Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us" while trying to explain the "beef" to a crowd of confused attendees was peak Culp. They even threw in Chappell Roan’s "Good Luck, Babe!" and Megan Thee Stallion’s "Body."
It was a reminder that the characters work because the world never stops producing "cool" music that "uncool" people will inevitably try to cover.
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The Legacy of "The Funk"
Why do they still matter? Because Marty and Bobbi Culp represented the era of SNL where characters were built on high-effort performance rather than just political impressions. Gasteyer’s vocal range and Ferrell’s commitment to the bit—often wearing a mustache that was barely hanging on by spirit gum—created a level of physical comedy that is rare today.
They followed a lineage of musical "hacks" on the show, like Nick the Lounge Singer (Bill Murray) or the Sweeney Sisters. But the Culps were more suburban, more domestic. They weren't failing at show business; they were failing at being "hip" parents.
How to Find Your Inner Culp
If you're looking to revisit their greatest hits, don't just wait for an official upload. You usually have to dig into the physical media or look for "unofficial" archives.
- Check the "Best of Will Ferrell" DVDs: Volume 1 contains some of the best high-quality versions of their school assemblies.
- Look for the 25th and 40th Anniversary Specials: These are often cleared for music rights more frequently than individual weekly episodes.
- Embrace the Cringe: The best way to enjoy the Culps is to lean into the discomfort. They were meant to make you squirm.
Ultimately, Marty and Bobbi Culp remain a testament to the power of a simple premise executed with 100% sincerity. They didn't think they were funny. They thought they were giving you the gift of music. And in a way, they really were.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of sketch comedy writing, study the Culps' medleys. Notice how they transition between songs with completely different tempos by using Marty's "bridge" on the keyboard. It’s a masterclass in comedic timing and musical arrangement that hides behind a veneer of amateurism.